awful...but strangely addictive - Rated 
Honestly this is truly the worst book I have ever read. 300 pages of a man's gigantic ego splattered onto paper. It seems Cashley is a man who has been led to believe he is truly the greatest footballer on the planet by his finance-fuelled agents. Agents whom, this book seems to confirm to me, stirred up much of the trouble he found himself in. This book was meant to be Cole's side of the story yet it seems to be counterproductive in it's quest as it just makes the reader completely and utterly sure of what a deluded, greedy and self-centred young man the co-author is.
On the plus side there is something addictive about the reading of this book. I say it's the worst book I have ever read because every other book that has disinterested me has been put down after one chapter, thus meaning I cannot truly judge such books nor summon up enough hatred for them. Yet "My Defence" was read almost cover to cover.
It's like a car crash - you know it's tacky and will only make you angry, but you can't help reading on. It is truly a guilty pleasure on the scale of ITV's Jeremy Kyle show and the Darkness' first album. If you want to be appalled, and if you want 300 hundred pages of literature to confirm your hatred of this particular man, or even the state of the modern prima donna footballer in general, read this book. Plus it's written in about size 36 font, so you can read it in about a day even if you're a Chelsea fan. Additionally, when you've finished with the book it makes great toilet paper, or fuel for your fireplace.
Enjoyable - Rated 
Have to say i enjoyed reading this, it might be biased, but wasn't that always going to be the case? He gave his version of events, and from the sounds of things David Dein and Arsenal did very little to support Ashley Cole, even though he was their second biggest commodity, and someone Wenger desperately did not want to lose.
Maybe sheds some of the light onto what has since happened with Arsenal and David Dein's departures, who knows?
Being objective is difficult (for Ashley that is..) - Rated 
Oh Ashley, I too am an avid Gooner and you will probably go down as one of our greatest defenders of all time. This does not however excuse you for what is a poor read - there are some high moments but generally this book is all about me, me, me. What is even more ironic, having the benefit of writing this at a time when your wife has dumped you is quite amusing given how much you supposedly worship her in your book. Anyway, the book is a bit of a tired read - read one of the reviews which plugs this as the best book ever.... sorry not in my view. Luckily I picked up the book in Southport for £2 (brand new hard back version!!) and I would have been well p1ssed if I paid £18.99 for it :) sorry Ash - am telling the truth Ruth!
Childish Tripe - Rated 
I had the misfortune of receiving this book as a birthday present. And out of duty and 'gratitude' I read it.
It is a poorly written account of how unfortunate it is to be on masses of money. Ashley Cole should be ashamed of himself. It is a deluded rant from a young man who has no idea what life is.
What became of my copy of the book? It is now gathering dust at the local charity shop...
"Disgusted" about the wage's he was offered.... you sad little man - Rated 
What a load of mindless dribble! The man simply moans about how Arsenal let him down - his boyhood club, and that's the reason he left. But if he was so sure about this, why did he feel the need to blurt out about his "digust" as being offered such a poor contract, hence his move to Chelsea? The man is on over £80,000 a week! That would take me over 2 years earn, yet Ashley thinks its a disgusting offer. All I can say is we're living in a society of nonces, players that will just wander from club to club as long they get their money. The real players are at the grass roots level - The FA blame our lack of England success on 'not enough grass roots talent', but surely if they actually just took the effort to scout counties, they'd realise their are lads out their under 10 who can juggle balls, flick them onto their neck, spin with it, and then back heel it over them to other kids. I should know, I was their once!
I've probably gone off topic now.. I guess I'm just frustrated after reading this that such players as Cole are picked for the England team based on reputation (like Lampard), not on performance. Otherwise, it would be a very different looking team.
Only buy this book if you want a reality check into a whining man who treats football as a mercenary job.
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